HISTORY announced today new casting for season two of its hit drama series Vikings, including Canadian Alexander Ludwig (The Hunger Games) as Bjorn, the intelligent and bold warrior son of Ragnar Lothbrok, and Linus Roache (Law & Order) as Ecbert, King of Wessex, a man full of strength, knowledge and undisguised ambition.

Over the nine weeks in season one, Vikings became the #1 new specialty drama of the year in Canada (A25-54), averaging 923,000 viewers 2+ and 476,000 viewers Adults 25-54.

HISTORY has picked up Vikings for a 10-episode second season. Season two will begin production this summer and is slated to return in 2014.

Vikings tells the extraordinary tales of the lives and epic adventures of these warriors. The drama portrays the world of these Dark Age raiders, traders, explorers – not from an outsider’s view, but, through the eyes of Viking society.

Returning cast includes Travis Fimmel as Ragnar Lothbrok; Canadians Katheryn Winnick as Lagertha, a fierce shield maiden and Ragnar’s wife; Donal Logue as King Horrik, who desires to make the increasingly famous Earl Ragnar an ally and supporter, and Jessalyn Gilsig as Siggy, beautiful wife of the late Earl Haraldson. Rounding out the returning cast are George Blagden as Athelstan, a young, innocent Christian Monk; Clive Standen as Rollo, Ragnar’s impulsive, wild, care-free brother; Gustaf Skarsgard, a ship builder who designs the new generation of Vikings ships and Alyssa Sutherland as Princess Aslaug, Ragnar’s new love interest.

Created and written by Michael Hirst – one of the premier historical story-tellers in the industry (Academy Award-winning film Elizabeth; and the Emmy and Golden Globe-nominated series The Tudors), Michael serves as Executive Producer along with Morgan O’Sullivan of World 2000 (The Count of Monte Cristo; The Tudors), John Weber of Take 5 Productions (The Tudors; The Borgias), Sheila Hockin (The Tudors; The Borgias), Sherry Marsh, Alan Gasmer and James Flynn (The Tudors; The Borgias).

Vikings is an international Irish/Canadian co-production being co-produced by World 2000 and Take 5 Productions. MGM Television brought the series to the network and brings Vikings to the global audience, serving as the international distributor outside of Ireland, Canada and the U.S. Vikings is produced in association with Shaw Media, and the series airs on HISTORY in Canada and in the US.

**Note from Scott – posted from my phone during a Banff session… please pardon any format errors or typos